Submitted Photo Silver Creek pitcher Julia Hill poses with the game ball after throwing a perfect game on Saturday against the Allegany-Limestone Lady Gators, during the Hae Jude softball tournament, at Silver Creek High School. Hill tallied 11 strikeouts over five perfect innings in the circle, and also contributed three extra base hits in the 14-0 Silver Creek victory.

SILVER CREEK — The Silver Creek Black Knights had to wait an extra day to get their first game in the Hae Jude softball tournament under their belts, after rain earlier in the week forced the tournament into a one-day event on Saturday.

Julia Hill made it a game to remember.

Playing in her final Hae Jude softball tournament as a senior after five years on varsity, Hill threw a perfect game in Saturday’s 14-0 victory for Silver Creek over Allegany-Limestone at Silver Creek High School.

“It means the world to me because everyone in Silver Creek has been so supportive through the good times and the bad times,” said Hill on Saturday.

“Julia came out confident today,” said Silver Creek coach Stacie Bauer after Saturday’s games were completed. “Her pitches were moving where she wanted to. She struck out the first two batters, was hitting her spots, got Allegany to hit pop flies or on the ground so we could field them behind her.”

Hill struck out 11 batters over five perfect innings. The game was called for the “mercy rule” after five innings.

“When we went into the fifth inning, we had the mercy rule in play,” said Bauer. “The girls had no idea they were playing a perfect game. It was really cool for them to get it at home in front of a big home crowd.”

Hill certainly did her part in putting the mercy rule in effect. She went 3-for-4 with two doubles and a triple, including an RBI.

“(Hill) came right in with a triple, she was really aggressive on the base paths, and she got the team pumped,” said Bauer. “Everyone was really behind her.”

Including Hill offensively, six of the nine hitters in the Silver Creek order had more than one hit.

“To have six girls out of your starting nine play fantastic, we came out ready to play. All of those girls getting multiple hits definitely boosted our confidence,” said Bauer.

Libby Lawton was 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI and a run scored. Andrea Olsen was 2-for-4 with a double and four RBI. Jessica Pawlak and Bailey Watroba were each 3-for-3 with an RBI, while Stevie Cook was 2-for-3 with two RBI.

Not only was Silver Creek’s community there to witness Hill’s perfect game, but her future coach at Edinboro University, Dan Gierlak, was there as well. Having him in attendance stood out to Hill, and after a performance like that, it’s safe to say he picked a good day to see his college softball commit in action.

Hill followed up her perfect game with a complete game victory over Randolph, 8-3.